On Friday, July 13, 2018, the 79th General Convention of the Episcopal Church passed a resolution acknowledging and thanking Seminary of the Southwest for the hospitality it has shown The Episcopal Church during its time in Austin.

“It has been a joy to welcome the General Convention to Austin! Seminary of the Southwest is honored to have offered hospitality to the Episcopal branch of the Jesus movement represented in Austin, Texas this July 2018,” said The Very Rev. Cynthia Briggs Kittrege, Dean and President.

The resolution, A224, reads:

Resolved, That the 79th General Convention acknowledges that The Right Reverend John Elbridge Hines, former Presiding Bishop and Bishop of the Diocese of Texas, founded the Episcopal Theological Seminary in Austin, Texas, in 1953 to be “a seminary for the whole church”; and be it further

Resolved, That we give thanks for the past 65 years in which the Seminary of the Southwest has formed several generations of clergy and lay leaders for the church, cultivating a practice of breadth and richness of theological education and tradition; and leading by example by living its core values of hospitality, conversation, mutuality, rootedness, respect, and celebration; and be it further

Resolved, That we appreciate the efforts of seminary Dean and President The Very Reverend Cynthia Briggs Kittredge, as well as staff, students, and volunteers in providing support for this convention.

Seminary of the Southwest hosted four events during the convention, including a Eucharist on campus at Christ Chapel and a luncheon welcoming the Bishops’ spouses and partners group, as well as producing an online visitor guide and providing detailed updates on social media on convention activity. Knowing that many would not be able to visit campus, the seminary also brought a 2/3 scale replica of the Seminary Cross to display at their booth in the Exhibit Hall.

Said Director of Communications, Eric Scott, “Knowing this was the first time in a century that a General Convention was held in the same city as an Episcopal seminary, we started planning years ago how to welcome The Episcopal Church to our beloved home. Because of the extremely hard work of our dedicated staff, faculty and students, our vision of hospitality came to fruition. We are very humbled to have our efforts recognized, and are honored to have ‘welcomed y’all’ to Austin.”